Rest in Peace, Shirley Temple

 

She was just the most amazing little girl.  So many good memories from a gentler time...

 

iTunes

 

 

I’m so bored I’ve spent a good part of the day organizing music in iTunes.  Not a bad thing actually, because I really do have some great elevator music.  :O)  Well I do!  And now it’s all together, ready to play on my mini player.

If you are a fan of gentle, soothing, lyrical tunes, there is nobody better than Dean Evenson.  I have several of his albums, but my favorite is Back to the Garden.

 

 

I bought it years ago at a little tourist shop when we were traveling.  I love little out of the way places, they always seem to have great cd’s that aren’t mainstream.

 You can get Back to the Garden from Amazon here, and listen to samples.  

I just found several of his recordings online from my local library, that’s even better than Amazon.  They’re free!  Guess where I’m going next week?

 

Try it, it’s a good thing.  ~ Jan

Kathie Lee and more, Podcasts for a Sunday afternoon...

 

If you’re looking for something to do on this dreary Sunday in February, some of these podcasts might appeal to you.  Oh c’mon, quit rolling your eyes and just check out the link.  Kathie Lee interviewed Dolly, how much better can it get than that!  And Tim Conway, and a blast from the past, Debbie Boone.

You know you’re bored, it’s just audio people, you can listen and go about whatever you’re doing.  Who would give up a chance for a Dolly interview, her voice is enough to give any of us the giggles.

Here’s the link, go for it!

And while you’re at it, probably my most favorite podcasts of all are the Splendid Table ones.  I love to have them in my iPod, great for when you’re out walking, right, like we can walk in the ice today.  But anyhoo, lots and lots of goodies to choose from.

Check them out here!

I used to be a big fan of Podcasts, and they kind of fell by the wayside, so I’m reviving them.  Yep, that’s what I’m doing today, exciting isn’t it...

We had such a fun week...

We went to Lexington and kept Ben while Ryan, Lindsay and Abby were at Disney and oh, what a sweet little boy this little guy is.  LC and I were a great team, taking care of him, but Ben led the way.  He’s a great communicator, and told us what he wanted.   Second children don’t get to be the center of attention for extended periods of time, and he loved it.

He brought back so many memories of our boys at this age.  If it doesn’t have wheels or bounce, he has no use for it.  He played with his balls and his trucks, and his favorite bulldozer constantly.   Abby has been such a revelation to us, because never having had a little girl, she was the complete opposite of what we were used to.  Ben, however,  just brings the boy’s childhood back.  At this age Abby was very  focused, putting puzzles together, playing with toys that required skill beyond her years, and he’s just all Action Jackson, on the run all the time, squealing and clapping his little hands, loving anything that makes a motor noise.

 The weather was not good while we were there, an ice storm, a power outage, so we were housebound, but it was a great experience for us, because Ben was our focus.  I think he enjoyed it as much as we did, and when we left yesterday, I kissed his little head, and he leaned into me and said “more” wanting me to kiss him again.

The weather forecast yesterday was for snow, and then they changed it to flurries, but we decided to come home last night just in case.  It was a lovely drive home, a bright, moonlit night, and the snow and ice on the trees just glistened.  We played The Fresh Marked cd that I talked about in an earlier post, if you ever find one on ebay, I suggest you snap it up if you’re a fan of classical music.  It’s one of those cd’s that you can listen to over and over, barely recognizing that it’s playing, but it’s uplifting music that’s good for the soul, and our time on the road (3 hours+) went quickly.

We’re glad that we made the drive, because we got an inch or so of snow last night, and it’s snowing this morning, it would have been a slick drive had we waited until today.

So life goes back to normal for us, but with such good memories of time spent with a precious little boy at such a special age.  Life is good, I’m so blessed...

Abby is at Disney

Princess Abby is having a blast!!!!

 

 

Meanwhile,  back at the ranch, we had an ice storm last night and a power outage for a few hours.  Ben is being an absolute joy, though, he’s such a good little boy, we’re having a really good time taking care of him.  

Grammie is tired of hearing herself complain about the weather, though, as is everybody else.  But darn, this is absolutely awful!  Even my friend, Jean, who loves snow and loves cold weather is over it.  C’mon spring!!!!!!

 

 

California Dreamin'

 

I’ve been humming this all morning as we face yet another significant snowfall.  It’s an oldie but goodie.  Always one of my favorite songs...

Here’s the lyrics, if you want to sing along...

All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray
(And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day
(On a winter's day)

I'd be safe and warm
(I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A
(If I was in L.A.)
California dreamin'
(California dreamin') on such a winter's day

Stopped in to a church I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees
(got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray
(I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher likes the cold
(preacher likes the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay
(knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin'
(California dreamin') on such a winter's day

{Bridge}

All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray
(And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day
(On a winter's day)

If I didn't tell her
(If I didn't tell her)
I could leave today
(I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin') on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

The Purina Dog Food Diet

My friend, Barb, sent me this, it’s so funny, just had to share...

Yesterday I was at Sam's Club, buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Owen , the Wonder Dog and was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had an elephant?

So because I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse, I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and that the way that it works is, to load your pants pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete, (certified), so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.)

Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I had stopped to pee on a fire hydrant and a car hit me.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Sam's Club won't let me shop there anymore.

Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.

I love The Fresh Market...

Oh, I really enjoy shopping in this store, it really is special.  Lindsay and Ryan have been shopping at The Fresh Market for years, and while I always enjoyed the ambiance, I was appalled at the prices.  

Then The Fresh Market came to Heavensville, and still I didn’t shop there until a few months ago.  Sometimes it takes me awhile, I should have just listened to the kids in the first place.  They kept telling me about their weekly specials, so I signed up for the newsletter and finally got onboard.  I’ve found the meat to be so much better than other grocery stores, and I really do stock up when things are on their Tuesday and weekend sales.  We were shopping Tuesday, hubby was at the meat counter, some lady was buying 30 lbs. of ground chuck in 1 lb.  individual packages.  Obviously there must be no limit.  My favorite food of choice is the Applewood Smoked Bacon.  It’s so good and so expensive, $10 a pound, but every couple of months they have a buy one get one free.  So I buy in quantity, not 30 lbs.:o) but I do buy several packages and freeze it.  I’ve found this to be an acquired taste, this really smoky bacon,  Ryan fixed it for me in the past and I didn’t care for it, but now it’s one of my favorite foods.  I’m such a baconaholic, and living the low carb lifestyle allows me to eat it almost daily.  Yep, I eat it almost every day, I love it that much.  I doubt if I ever quit eating low carb, seriously, just because I wouldn’t be able to have my daily bacon infusement.  Carbs + bacon = major weight gain, unfortunately.

But back to The Fresh Market, I find things there I can’t find elsewhere, and this week it finally dawned on me why I like it so much.  When John lived in Dayton he was just a couple of blocks away from Dorothy Lane Market, which is the most fascinating grocery store I’ve ever been in.  It’s an old store, with brick walls and scarred wood floors, and like Fresh Market they have wonderful treasures not found in conventional markets.  That was always one of the highlights of visiting Dayton, going to Dorothy Lane Market.  

Well, The Fresh Market is very similar.  It’s new, but made to look quaint, and the very best part is the soft upbeat classical music they play while you shop, just like they do at Dorothy Lane.

See what I mean, Fresh Market is very similar to this photo of Dorothy Lane, it’s the quintessential foodie market.

And being the investigative junkie that I am, liking nothing better than scouting out things on the internet. I came home this week from shopping at TFM and searched the net until I found The Fresh Market CD.  I’m thinking that this was not something that was available to the general public, but a CD that they sent to stores because I searched thoroughly and only found one copy of this anywhere online.  It has their logo on it, says established in 1982 and has a listing of classical  music.  And yep, it’s winging it’s way to Heavensville as we speak.  I’m absolutely estatic.  I know, I’m a goober, but I’m so thrilled.  Let’s hope it’s a goodie.  The price was a goodie, too, I got it for $8!

Whoohoooooo!!!!!!

Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial, Puppy Love

 

Oh my, another one that tugs at the heart strings.  Has to be women who write these commercials, has to be…   

What is the best way to sneeze?

 

The answer may surprise you.  I watched this on World News last night, good information now that we are in the height of cold and flu season.  I know I just cringe every time I’m out and somebody in my proximity sneezes.  If you think your best defense is sneezing into your elbow, think again….

Olivia Newton John is looking older...

 

She’s 65 and looks it, and its kind of refreshing, isn’t it?  We’re so used to seeing celebrities with trout lips and stretched skin, it’s nice to see somebody famous that looks their age.  Makes us realize that we’re not alone on this road we all travel to old(er) age.  I think she looks great...

I'm such a fan of morning routine...

 Every morning I get up, come to the sunroom with my morning coffee, turn on NPR, sit and look outside, watching the birds, the horses in the pasture, enjoying the serenity of country life, while catching up on emails.  I love NPR, I’ve been a fan forever, not buying into all of the left leaning that it supposedly has, I just like the news, the familiar voices, I’m a creature of habit.  I don’t want to talk, I don’t want to leave the house, I just want to be quiet and slowly wake up to the day.

So here I sit, listening to the wind chimes, as it’s a blustery winter day yet again, enjoying the familiar voices on NPR, smiling at Maggie as she does her morning stretches at my feet, it’s just the best, my morning routine...

Miss A has many talents...

Our precocious little four year old, now that she has taught herself to read, has apparently figured out the remote. Below is Lindsay’s Facebook post from yesterday.  Ryan told me about her doing this as well, sometimes she just amazes us...

I always thought Ry being in control of the remote was a test of patience. I have discovered it to be nothing in comparison to the power hungry ADD that is Miss A with the remote. She took it upon herself yesterday to teach herself how to use it. Telling me what the buttons say, then pushing them so she could understand their functions. By midday, she was recording her shows and canceling Ry's shows that were in her way. Then going through the DVR and scrolling till she found what she was looking for.

It would have been cute and impressive had she not pointed out to me, several times, that she had to learn how to do it because I don't pay attention like I should and she doesn't want to watch non-Abby shows. 

How about a smile this morning....

 

Yep, more snow in Heavensville last night, just a skiff as mom used to say.  I saw this picture on Facebook this morning, its ’s funny, just had to share….

Charlie and Jackie

 

These two are smooth.  They’ve been dancing together for thirty years...

Putting a little joy in this cold winter day...

My friend, Trish, took the  picture of this little Titmouse sitting on a tree branch by her front window today.  Doesn’t it just make you smile, looking at that sweet little face.  And yes, she’s feeding him...

The Vermont Country Store

I talk about this site so often, but it’s such a nostalgia rush, going there takes me back to a simpler time.

I was browsing their online catalog yesterday, talk about a blast from the past, I didn’t even know you could buy this stuff anymore.  

Here’s their link if you want to see more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country Roads

 

Humor me, let me pretend it’s  a warm spring day, driving through the country, the top down, with a bag of Cheetos, an icy soda and Maggie in my lap.  Could it really get any better????

 

 

And a little John Denver to help get me there…. 

 

The Captain and Tennille are getting a divorce!!!

 

Awwwwww, say it ain’t so, they’ve been married for thirty-nine years.  Guess love didn’t keep them together after all...

 

One picture is worth a thousand words...

I was going through pictures, found this one of Maggie from last fall when we were in Gatlinburg.  She  . is .  just . so  . darned  . cute!